To recap some of that argument:
A level one is truth seeking. A level two is
dichotomous and both creates memes (which are,
like either-or "systems" in that they carry a
process rather than a product... except that the
product is a continuation of the process, a "level
one" *meme*)... both creates memes and are prone
to being infected BY them.*
Brodie's definition of a level three suggests that
a level three HOST can choose which mind viruses
one is infected by-- and can choose to infect
others through flexing the "truths" that each
virus might represent. The problem with this
understanding is that it denies the meme itself--
which is an evolutionarily preferred pattern.
OR: The level one "chooses" the memetic
pattern... the level two creates unstable
variations... Brodie's "level three" is really a
level two (virus) which destroys the level one
meme, "truth", so that other mind viruses can be
created and manipulated-- he says this ability
makes one feel powerful and self-gratified. It
would not, however, make one immune to infection
by mind viruses or to evolutionary control
mechanisms. A TRUE level three would be a level
one meme which is inoculated against the "chance
recombination" and "destruction of the least fit"
types of *genetically* defined "evolution"
suggested by the level two host. The level 3 is
"inoculated" through its superior organization,
however, and not according to it's anti-bodies
(not through a meme/ counter-meme strategy).
*A meme proper is in a "growth" stage. It has an
organization by which it attracts "nutrients" (or
ideas) which fit its pattern and add to its
stability-- it is "truth seeking. Therein arises
the argument that a level one memespace-- or
"carrier"?-- is also a *meme*; that is, it is a
*level one* meme (it is memetically organized but
is NOT a "virus" and is not "infectious"). Thus,
a "level two" is a *virus* whose systematic split
seeks a singular resolution in a new memetic host
which organizes similar to the viral pattern
presented by the meme so that the meme might
evolve via the viral form toward an evolutionary
superior pattern.
(the quote about "flexing the memespace..." is a
direct quote and reflects Brodie's stated
position-- as far as I can remember... most of the
remaining "argument" is MY opinion of the gist of
some past discussions and does not necessarily
represent the views of virus-l or any particular
list member)
B. Lane Robertson
Indiana, USA
http://www.window.to/mindrec
Bio: http://members.theglobe.com/bretthay
See who's chatting about this topic:
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